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Former LSU player Jacob Hester brings experience to New Orleans Saints tryout

Jacob Hester : Saints rookie mini-camp

Former LSU football player Jacob Hester runs a drill during the New Orleans Saints rookie mini-camp in Metairie Saturday, May 17, 2014. (Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune)
(Brett Duke)

Having played 65 games over five seasons in the NFL, Jacob Hester has more fullback experience than anybody on the New Orleans Saints roster.

Even so, the former LSU running back is with the Saints for their weekend minicamp only on a three-day tryout basis despite signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Erik Lorig to a four-year deal in March.

"He's one of those veteran players that's here on a three-day workout," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He's smart. He's very instinctive. You can see that. He makes good decisions when he has the ball."

Hester, 29 and a standout on LSU's 2007 national championship team, last played in the NFL for three games with the Denver Broncos in 2012. He played four seasons with the San Diego Chargers after they picked him in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He was among 38 tryout players listed on a roster distributed before a morning practice Saturday (May 17).

Whether Hester can find his niche with the Saints remains to be determined, as there is no assurance he will be asked back after the weekend. NFL teams do not typically keep more than one fullback. The Saints currently have two: Lorig and Austin Johnson (Tennessee).

Lorig played 56 games in four seasons after Tampa Bay drafted him in the seventh round in 2010. Johnson, who is under contract and participating in this weekend minicamp, has never played an NFL regular season game since he went undrafted in 2012.

Hester has rushed for 400 yards and three touchdowns on 111 carries (3.7 yard average) in his career. He has caught 56 passes for 315 yards and another three scores. The Broncos cut him after the preseason in 2013.

Lorig distinguished himself as a strong blocker after he converted from defensive end during his rookie season. He had 30 catches for 193 yards and one touchdown and contributed on special teams with 17 tackles with Tampa Bay, where he started 24 games at tight end.

"The hard thing to gauge right now is, in our offense, our fullbacks are required to go up on backers and be physical, and we're not padded right now so we're not able to gauge that," Saints running backs coach Dan Rouchar said. "But you see (Hester's) intelligence and you see his ability to do those things. We'll continue to measure that, to monitor his growth. But we're pleased with his work right now."

Hester did not appear in the locker room during the open media period Saturday.